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Postal Customer ECR-WSS PRST STD U.S. Postage Paid St. Paul, MN Permit #1962 I n s i d e Arden Hills, MN . 55112-5734 2016 tax levy set Staffers honored Welsch’s Big Ten Tavern I-35W changes studied News from the City CouncilIn the January/February Arden Hills Notes for 2016, we look back to the notable events of 2015 and ahead to the future. Rice Creek Commons (also known as the Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant/ TCAAP) The most exciting project in the City is the progress we are seeing at Rice Creek Commons. The City Council ap- proved the TCAAP Redevelopment Code and Master Plan, laying the groundwork for the redevelopment of the 427-acre Rice Creek Commons into a vibrant mixed-use community. Environmental clean-up of the site is concluded, and the next step is for the road infrastructure in 2017. Redevel- opment is planned for the next ten years. City Staff and City volunteer groups, most notably the Planning Commission and the Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee, have been intently focused on this project for the last several years. New Developments in Arden Hills • Red Fox Business Center – Two light industrial buildings will open for busi- ness in early 2016 on Red Fox Road for a combination of office, light industrial, manufacturing, and commercial uses. • Johanna Shores Brownstones – Two brownstone-style buildings with forty in- dependent senior units are in the process of being built for the Presbyterian Homes redevelopment at County Road D and Lake Johanna Blvd. • Valentine Bluff – Seven single-family custom homes are planned for this new development on County Road E2 at the site of the former Arden Hills Library. • Goodwill Industries– Located on the corner of Lexington Avenue and County Road E, half of the building is devoted to a Goodwill retail store; the remainder will be divided into employee offices, a donation processing area, and a drive- thru donation center. • The Tavern Grill – Preliminary work has begun for this sit-down restaurant that will include an attached outdoor patio for seasonal seating. It is located in the Arden Plaza Retail Center (south of Walgreens). • Frattallone’s Corporate Headquarters – Frattallone’s Ace Hardware purchased the former Carroll’s Furniture site on County Road E, and is using the building for corporate offices and storage for off- season merchandise. • New Businesses – A number of new businesses have opened in existing Arden Hills buildings, and we welcome them. Road Construction • County Road E – This project rebuilt the bridge over Highway 51 and now provides a pedestrian walkway over the bridge, with improved sidewalks and paving, new decorative streetlights and shade trees along County Road E, and double turn lanes at Lexington Avenue. • Highway 96 – The bridge over I-35W was rebuilt using the double diverging diamond interchange where lanes cross over at each end of the bridge elimi- nating left-hand turns across opposing traffic. Pedestrians cross and walk in the middle of the bridge with protective bar- riers on either side. • Lake Valentine Road – This project rebuilt the bridge over I-35W and added a trail from Mounds View High School over the bridge, which connects with the New Brighton trail. In Other Accomplishments, the City: • Added a video tour to its website. Please take the time to view it. • Went to single sort recycling, including the distribution of the well-received roller bins for the convenience of residents. • Implemented a Business Retention and Expansion Program for which the City was awarded the Leaders in Local Government Award by the St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce. • Received three Government Finance Of- ficers Association Awards. • Held our first Bark and Rec Day, to highlight the popular off-leash dog park at Hazelnut Park. To Conclude...The City extended its sincere sympathy to the family of Coun- cil Member Robert Woodburn, who died while in office in October, 2015. The City said good-bye to City Administrator Pat Klaers and Public Works Director Terry Maurer; both retired in October, 2015. The City Council thanks everyone who makes our City work: residents and businesses who serve on our City Committees, those who provide input, and our City Staff. Warmest regards, Fran Holmes Arden Hills City Council